Ranji probables named

Guwahati, Sept. 7: The Assam Cricket Association has named 25 probables for the Ranji team and 31 for the state A team (under-25) in the season ahead.

While the Ranji trials will commence at Nehru Stadium here from September 15, the under-25 selection trials will be held at the SM Dev Stadium in Silchar from September 20.

The Ranji probables include three outstation professionals — Dheeraj Jadhav, J. Syed Mohammad and Hokaito Zhimomi. While top order batsman Jadhav from Maharashtra has been playing for Assam for the last three years, left arm spinner Syed Mohammad of Chennai and all-rounder Zhimomi of Nagaland will slog it out for berths in the state side for the first time.

Though Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Syed Mohammad was signed on last year, he could not do the state duty last season because of an injury sustained in the Indian Premier League.

Off spinner Arlen Konwar, who had to do duty for his employer Railways in the last Ranji season, has also been invited to the trials after he was cleared recently by the BCCI as a home player.

Meanwhile, last year’s Ranji player Sibsankar Roy has been named among the under-25 probables along with all-rounder Swarupam Purkayastha.

Ranji wicketkeeper Kunal Saikia has also been named as an under-25 probable, while Silchar glovesman Rajdeep Das has been invited to the Ranji camp.